A guide to… Choosing Eye & Face Protection

Introduction Eye injuries can result in pain, loss of time, money and eye sight. Many daily tasks cause flying debris which can seriously injure your eyes. If you cause injury to your eyes, it can have serious and long lasting affects or even cause permanent damage. Using the correct eye protection for the task can prevent most eye injuries.

Legislation Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states: Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective. Employees also have a duty under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure their own health and safety at work. Refusing to wear necessary equipment to control exposure to risks puts them in breach of that duty and of the Regulations.

Hazards to Eyes Some of the most common hazards to eyes include: Chemical or metal splashes Dust particles Projectiles Gas and vapour Radiation Additional considerations: Windy or dusty conditions can lead to particles in the eye Eye injuries can result from co-workers around you Passing through an area where work is being carried out can generate a hazard

Risk Assessment Employers must complete a risk assessment to decide whether PPE is required and will be suitable for the task. This includes deciding on the risks to be combated, the working conditions and the part(s) of the body to be protected. Employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers suitable protection to personnel who may be exposed to potential health risks. When a risk assessment has been completed and employers decide that PPE is required to safeguard against a risk, employees MUST wear it and employers MUST enforce its use.

There are four main types of eye protection available… Safety Glasses or Spectacles Safety Goggles Face Shields Eye Shields

Selecting Suitable Eye/Face Protection The selection of suitable eye protection depends primarily on the hazard, but comfort and durability should also be considered. The wearer(s) of eye protection should be consulted and involved in the selection process.

Safety Glasses or Spectacles Available in a variety of styles, weights and sizes. Many manufacturers offer a range of prescription safety spectacles which are individually matched to the wearer. Different levels of impact resistance are available. Similar to prescription glasses, however they have side shields that provide lateral protection. Suitable for general working conditions where there may be minor dust, chips or flying particles. Provide little or no protection against liquids or vapours. Safety glasses or spectacles provide protection against impact from small objects.

Safety Goggles More prone to misting and should be treated with anti-mist coatings. Ideal when the eyes need to be completely covered but the rest of the face does not need to be protected. Different types of goggles are available to provide protection from liquids, dusts, gases, vapours, molten metal and high impact projectiles. Goggles can also be obtained with a range of filters to provide protection against lasers and welding flash. Safety Goggles are heavier and less comfortable than glasses but provide much better protection.

Eye Shields Eye shields are similar to safety glasses, however they have a single frameless one-piece lens. These provide a similar level of protection to safety glasses. Eye shields can be useful for visitors and other people who need eye protection only for short periods. Some styles can be worn over prescription glasses.

Face Shields Face shields protect the face but do not fully enclose the eyes. Provide protection against impact, spraying, chipping, grinding or chemical splashes. Frequently used in conjunction with eye protection, as they are not by themselves protective eyewear. The heaviest and bulkiest form of protection. However, they should be comfortable if they are fitted with an adjustable head harness. They can include welding filters or reflective metal screens that deflect heat.

Eye/Face Protection Storage All eye protectors need to be properly cared for and stored. Personal issue eyewear should be stored in a suitable spectacle case or eyewear container when not in use. Those for visitors should also be suitably stored, e.g. in a purpose made “store-and- issue” wall mounted container.

Cleaning Eye/Face Protection The lenses of eye protectors must be kept clean; dirty lenses can restrict vision and cause eye fatigue, which can lead to accidents. If eye shields or other eye protection for visitors are provided, they should be thoroughly cleaned before they are reissued.

Eye/Face Protection Maintenance All eye protectors need to be properly cared for and stored. If you notice any defects or damage, or if you have lost/misplaced your eye protection, you should inform your supervisor straight away. Transparent visors and face shields should be changed if they are scratched or cracked, warped, or have become discoloured or brittle with age. Headbands should be replaced when they are damaged or worn out.

Do’s and Don'ts Do wear eye protection whenever it’s required. Do make sure your eye protection fits comfortably and does not hinder your view. Do look after your eye protection and return it to a suitable container after use. Do report any defects, damage or loss to your supervisor. Do keep it clean. XDon’t use prescription glasses or sunglasses as eye protection. XDon’t ignore instructions to wear eye protection. XDon’t just walk past someone not wearing eye protection when they should – tell them to put it on! XDo not modify eye protection by removing the side shields.

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